Tobacco feeding mechanism



g- 1942- N H. TURBEVILLE ETAL 2,292,727 TOBACCO FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 18, 1941 6 3 :3 2%. m 007M YN mm MW m e Wm M 0 My aw J m 1m Y.

bundles and packed in hogsheads.

Patented Aug. 11, 1942 TOBACCO FEEDING MECHANISM Nathaniel H. Turbeville, John W. Moore, Jr., and

George W. Jones,

The American Tobacco Richmond, Va., assignors to Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 18, 1941, Serial No. 389,192

Claims.

This invention relates to tobacco feeding devices and more particularly to an automatic feeding device for a tobacco stemming machine.

In the handling of tobacco in a tobacco stemming factory, the tobacco as received is tied in The bundles :are first removed from the hogsheads and passed through a conditioning apparatus to heat and i m0isten the tobacco to permit handling of it. 'Thertobacco is delivered from the conditioning apparatus to the stemming machines where the stem is stripped from the leaf.

Prior to delivery of the tobacco to the stemming machine the tie leaf is removed from each bundle. The tobacco then passes along a conveyor to the stemming machine. While passing along this conveyor the leaves of each bundle are separated and the tobacco spread out on the conveyor so that the leaves are individually fed to the stemming machine and the butt end of the leaf properly positioned for feeding into the stemming machine.

Heretofore the leaves of the bundles have been spread out and properly positioned on the conveyor manually. A number of operators positioned along the sides of the table over which the conveyor passes have separated the leaves of the bundle after the tie leaf has been removed and arranged the leaves so that the butt end will be properly fed into the stemming machine.

In the present invention we provide apparatus for automatically spreading the leaves of a bundle and feeding them toward the stemming machine so that each leaf will be properly fed to the stemming machine. For this purpose we employ a plurality of shafts carrying star wheels arranged slightly spaced from the table and the conveyor. The shafts are arranged to be driven at progressively greater speeds so that the closer the individual shaft is located to the stemming machine the greater its speed. This difference in speed between each shaft and the preceding shaft causes the star wheels on the first shaft to hold the bundle while the star wheels of the next shaft tend to separate one or more leaves. It also tends to feed the leaves progressively along the table with the butt end of each leaf against the backboard so that the stem will be grasped adjacent its end when it enters the stemming machine. By employing a number of these shafts the bundle is thus separated and when it reaches the end of the feeding apparatus, the leaves have been properly separated for feeding to the stemming machine.

In the accompanying drawing we have shown one embodiment of the invention. showing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the table and conveyor leading to the stemming machine showing the invention applied;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of one of the star wheels;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of another form of star wheel;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a conveyor wheel used on one or more of the shafts; and

Fig. '7 is a detailed, elevational view of the means for driving the shafts.

Referring to the drawing the reference numeral I designates a table over which pass a pair of endless conveyor belts 2 and 3. This table and the belts are part of the usual equipment in a tobacco stemming factory. The belts extend from an apparatus 4 for removing the tie leaf to the stemming machine (not shown). At each end the belts pass over suitable rollers 5 and then travel along the surface of the table as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The belt 2 is placed close to a backboard 6 and is of about one-half the width of the belt 3' as shown in Fig. 2. A space slightly greater than the Width of the belt 2 is provided between the two belts. As the leaves travel from the tie leaf remover to the stemming machine, it is desirable to keep the ends of the stems to be grasped by the stemming machine against the backboard 6 and to keep the leaves substantially at right angles to the direction of travel. The table is provided with flanges I at each side on which are arranged bearings 8. Shafts 9 are mounted in these bearings. While we have shown the provision of six shafts as constituting one form of the feeding device, the number of shafts may of course be varied. A plurality of star wheels are mounted on these shafts. One form of star wheel I0 is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing and a second form H is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. These star wheels may be made of any suitable material and we have employed a composition fibrous material one-quarter of an inch thick. In a specific embodiment of the machine the star wheels are seven inches in diameter. In the form shown in Fig. 4 they are provided with twenty-six teeth I2, the teeth extending inwardly from the periphery substantially one inch and being at an angle of substantially 15. The form of star wheel shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing is In this provided with thirteen teeth l3. These teeth are at the same angle as the teeth I2. This provides surfaces I 4 at the periphery between the teeth and spaces [5 at the roots of the teeth. In Fig. 6 of the drawing we have shown a wheel [6 in which the periphery is provided with slight indentations IT. A number of these wheels may also be employed as will be hereinafter described.

As shown the wheels H], H and I6 are arranged on the shafts 9 preferably with three wheels on each shaft, the wheels on adjacent shafts being arranged close to but not touching each other in a staggered arrangement. The distance between the shafts is less than the diameter of the wheels so that the wheels overlap as shown in Fig. 1. In a specific embodiment of the invention using wheels '7 inches in diameter,

the distance between the centers of the shafts is- 4 inches. The wheels are spaced approximately 4 inch from the conveyor belts and the table. Each set of wheels is spaced along its supporting shaft so that one wheel is over the belt 2 adjacent its inner edge and the other two wheels are over the belt 3 with the center wheel adjacent the inner edge of this belt as shown in Fig. 2.

As stated the speeds of the shafts are progressively greater considered from the inlet end of the feeding mechanism to the outlet end. Any suitable drive means may be employed for accomplishing this result. One means is illustrated which comprises a pulley l8 mounted On the end shaft and connected to any suitable source of power. This shaft carries a sprocket 19 (see Fig. '7) which is connected to a slightly smaller sprocket 20 on the next adjacent shaft by a chain 2 I. Each shaft in turn carries a sprocket 22 driving a slightly smaller sprocket 23 on the next adjacent shaft by means of a chain 24. While the speeds of the shafts may vary depending upon the type of tobacco being handled, the size of the star wheels l9 and l l and other factors, in a specific embodiment of the machine comprising the six shafts shown, the first shaft was driven at a speed of 45 R. P. M., the second shaft at a speed of 55 R. P. M., the third shaft at a speed of 65 R. P. M., the fourth shaft at a speed of 75 R. P. M., the fifth shaft at a speed of 85 R. P. M., and the sixth shaft at a speed of 90 R. P. M. The arrangement of the star wheels may also be varied. In one form of the machine the first and third shafts are provided with wheels I ll shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing and having twenty-six teeth. The second and fourth shafts are provided with two wheels It and with a center wheel H of the type shown in Fig. 5 of thedrawing. The fifth shaft is provided with two wheels and a center wheel E6 of the type shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing, and the sixth shaft is provided with three wheels l6.

While the mechanism heretofore employed constitutes the essential features of the feeding device, we have found it advantageous to also provide a pair of shafts 25 adjacent the tie leaf removing machine at the point where the conveyors Z and 3 start their passage over the table to facilitate delivery of the bundles from the tie leaf removing machine. As shown these shafts are slightly spaced from the shafts 9 so that a single operator may be positioned between the two sets of shafts and straighten out the bundles and partially separate them. The shafts 25 are mounted in bearings 26 on the side of the machine adjacent the backboard 6 and one of the shafts extends entirely across the machine and is supported in a similar bearing on the opposite flange 1. The other shaft is supported intermediate its ends in a bearing 21 mounted on the tie leaf removing machine and carries a sprocket 28 to receive a chain (not shown) whereby the tie leaf removing machine is driven. These shafts are each provided with two star wheels, one arranged near the inner edge of the belt 2 and the other arranged substantially centrally of the belt 3. We preferably employ star wheels II on the shaft adjacent the tie leaf removing machine and star wheels H] on the shaft remote therefrom. One of the shafts 25 is provided with a pulley 29 for the reception of a belt or other drive means and these shafts are connected to each other by sprockets 30 and 3| and a chain 32. The first shaft is provided with a larger sprocket to drive the second shaft at a slightly greater speed, the speeds of the two shafts being 65 R. P. M. and 75 R. P. M. respectively.

We may also provide a guard to prevent the leaves from being carried around by the star Wheels as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. As shown a supporting member 33 extends across the machine adjacent the second shaft and has its ends 34 extended downwardly and secured to the flanges l of the table. Adjacent each of the wheels ID on the second shaft a pair of curved arms 35 are secured to the supporting member 33. These arms are curved downwardly as at 36 and then extend along each side of the wheel ID as at 37. The outer ends of the arms are curved upwardly as at 38.

In operation the bundles from which the tie leaves have been removed are delivered from the tie leaf remover 4 to the conveyors 2 and 3. The star wheels I!) and l I on the shafts 25 engage the leaves of the bundles and feed them along the conveyors. At the same time the greater speed of the second shaft begins the separation of the leaves. The guards 35 prevent leaves separated from the bundles from being carried around by the star wheels. In the space between the shafts Z5 and the shafts 9 a single operator may further separate the leaves of a bundle and also straighten them out. When the bundles reach the second set of shafts and star wheels, the separation of the leaves is completed, as the leaves pass under these wheels. The first shaft in each instance tends to hold the bundle while the next faster moving shaft tends to separate some of the leaves from it. By the time the leaves have passed under all of the sets of star wheels they have been spread out on the conveyor so that they will be individually fed to the stemming machine. At the same time the star wheels cause the leaves to be fed evenly along the conveyors so that the ends of the stems will be properly maintained against the backboard 6 for reception by the stemming machine. In actual operation the better positioning of the leaves by means of the apparatus, as compared to manual separation of the leaves, has resulted in amaterial decrease in scrap. On the last shaft and in the middle of the next to last shaft wc provide wheels i6 having the indented surfaces [1. These wheels hold the tobacco leaves down on the belt and prevent them from travelling around the periphery of the wheel. If a leaf is carried around by one of the wheels Ill or II along the length of the device it again passes on to the conveyor and is eventually carried to the stemming machine, but we find it desirable to prevent this at the outlet end of the machine.

between as compared to said first mentioned inconveyor, each of said shafts being driven at a higher speed than the preceding shaft, and a plurality of star wheels mounted on said shafts, the star Wheels being of greater diameter than the distance between adjacent shafts.

2. A feeding device for a tobacco stemming machine comprising a table, a pair of conveyors travelling over the table, a pair of shafts arranged over the conveyors adjacent the inlet end of the conveyors, the second shaft being driven at a higher speed than the first shaft,

star wheels mounted on said shafts and arranged over the conveyors, a plurality of shafts spaced from the pair of shafts, each of said shafts being driven at a higher speed than the preceding shaft, and star wheels mounted on said shafts and arranged over the conveyors, the star wheels being of greater diameter than the distance between adjacent shafts.

3. Feeding apparatus for tobacco stemming machines comprising a table, a conveyor arranged over the table, a plurality of shafts extending transversely over the conveyor, each shaft being driven at a higher speed than the preceding shaft, and a plurality of wheels carried by theshafts and spaced from the conveyor,

the wheels being of greater diameter than the distance between adjacent shafts, the wheels on the shafts adjacent the inlet end of the apparatus being provided with a plurality of substantially rigid teeth having indentations of substantial depth therebetween, the surface of the wheels on the last shaft being provided with teeth having relatively slight indentations theredentations.

4.Feeding apparatus for tobacco stemming machines for separating the leaves of a bundle higher speed than the preceding shaft, and a plurality of wheels carried by the shafts and spaced from the conveyor, the wheels being of greater diameter than the distance between adjacent shafts, the wheels on the shafts adjacent the inlet end of the apparatus being provided with a. plurality of substantially rigid teeth having indentations of substantial depth therebetween, the surface of the wheels on the last shaft being provided with teeth having relatively slight indentations therebetween as compared to said first mentioned indentations.

5. Feeding mechanism for tobacco stemming machines comprising a table, a pair of conveyors travelling over the table, a plurality of shafts extending transversely of the conveyors, each of the shafts being driven at a greater speed than the preceding shaft, and wheels mounted on the shafts and spaced from the conveyors, one wheel being arranged on each shaft over one conveyor and a pair of wheels being arranged on each shaft over the second conveyor, the wheels being of greater diameter than the space between adjacent shafts, the wheels on the shafts at the inlet end of the apparatus being provided with a plurality of substantially rigid teeth having indentations of substantial depth therebetween, the surface of the wheels on the last shaft being provided with teeth having relatively slight indentations therebetween as compared to said first mentioned indentations.

NATHANIEL H. TURBEVILLE, JOHN W. MOORE, JR. GEORGE W. JONES, 

